Travel systems with a car seat and stroller combo are a convenient way to take your kids on car trips and be able to walk around at your destination. Instead of having to unbuckle your child from their car seat and then buckle them into a stroller all over again you can just pop the car seat out of the car and onto the stroller frame. The best car seat & stroller combos are safe, user-friendly, and not much heavier than your average stroller.
However, there are just as many travel systems that are bulky, unwieldy, and downright unsafe. How do you know which ones to consider buying? By reading our guide, of course! Below, we introduce you to all our favorite car seat and stroller combos on the market today. Read on to learn why these models made our list, and to see which is the best bet for you and your family!
Picture | Brand & Model | Weight | Maximum Weight Rating | Check Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System Stroller | 30 Pounds | 50 Pounds | Check Price | |
Britax 2017 B Agile & B Safe Travel System | 28 Pounds | 35 Pounds | Check Price | |
Baby Jogger City Mini GT Travel System | 41.8 Pounds | 35 Pounds | Check Price |
Best Car Seat & Stroller Combo Reviews
Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System Stroller
“This Graco travel system is the most popular on the market, and consistently ranks at the top of ratings by Consumer Reports and parenting periodicals. It’s easy to see why. For a very low price, it offers safe, convenient travel for you and your little one.
One of the best things about it is that it can grow with your child just as well as the pricier options on the market. The stroller itself holds a child up to 50 pounds, so you can use it far beyond the point when your child outgrows the seat (which has a maximum rating of 30 pounds). The seat cushion is removable for cleaning, too. I think that’s a highly underrated feature on something this inexpensive.
It folds a lot more conveniently than other budget models and while it might not have many frills or fancy features, it covers all the essentials very cheaply. I think it’s the least you can pay for a user-friendly, secure combo.”
Britax 2017 B Agile & B Safe Travel System
“This Britax travel system is my recommendation to the average buyer. It’s more convenient, lightweight and comfortable than the Graco without costing you nearly as much as the Baby Jogger below.
What do you get for your extra dollar? Quite a lot, actually. For one thing, the Britax will be good up to 35 pounds for the car seat and 55 pounds for the stroller. That helps you get more bang for your buck, since it’ll take longer for your child to outgrow the components. The wheelbase is also way better than the Graco’s. It handles really well and has a more cushioned ride for your passenger. There are lots of little things that I think make it worth the extra investment, like the simplified latches, the one-handed steering/folding mechanisms, and the overall lightness of it. It’s more pleasant to use for you and your baby.
One quick note: an older model of this travel system was recalled, but the current model is not affected and meets all the relevant safety standards!”
Baby Jogger City Mini GT Travel System
“The Baby Jogger City Mini GT is my ultimate recommendation for a travel system, though I know it may be a bit on the pricey side for some families. I think it’s absolutely stellar all around. It’s chock-full of conveniences and clever design features that make it feel premium and made for you!
The best feature on this one is the folding mechanism. It’s truly effortless, which I can’t say about many strollers, especially travel systems! You can do it with only one hand, and there’s no silly gimmick to get caught up on. All-terrain wheels are another boon: they give you excellent handling for everything the city has to offer, including walking paths. It turns practically on a dime and is built like a tank.
There are a lot of other things I love on the City Mini GT, like the handbrake, adjustable handlebar and the absolutely massive sunshade. More than any one thing, though, it simply feels like a stroller that’s been designed by actual parents. Everything does what you want it to and will keep doing so for years!”
Buying Guide
Be Sure You Want A Travel System
Travel systems are a great idea, but they’re not for everybody.
No travel system stroller is going to be as light as a standard stroller. Some people also find carrying a child and carseat from the car to the stroller and back unwieldy. As a general rule, these are good choices for smaller kids and parents who aren’t going for long walks or jogs with their stroller. Jogging in particular is not ideal with a travel system, since the car seat adds quite a bit of weight to something you’re already having to push in front of you as you go.
You should know up front that no travel system is as adjustable or versatile as a good stroller. You won’t have as many options for things like recline or ventilation, and the car seat does tend to cut into storage space.
Travel systems are also a better choice for folks who are looking to buy everything at once. If you already have a great car seat, there’s no reason to buy a car seat/stroller combo. Just shop for a stroller, and choose one that accepts your car seat model if being able to use it as a travel system is important to you.
Decide On Your Budget
You can spend anywhere from $150-$500+ on a high-quality travel system. Remember that you’re getting both a car seat and a stroller, so even the more expensive options aren’t exorbitant. Figure out how much you can afford to spend. Even the least expensive models we recommend are up to the relevant safety standards, so you don’t need to worry about sacrificing your child’s safety to save money. However, you can definitely expect even more safety features on the car seat as you look up the price ladder, as well as a more convenient system overall.
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Check The Specs
Whenever you buy a stroller or car seat, no matter whether you buy them to use together or not, you need to check the relevant specs. Make sure each has a high enough weight limit to carry your child. It’s also a good idea to check the height allowance and make sure you’re leaving some room for kids to grow. When it comes to choosing the best car seat and stroller combo we’d struggle to choose just one, but if we were pushed we’d say the Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System Stroller just pips the others at the post thanks to its ease of use and low price.
What’s Next
Think you’ve found your ideal travel system? Great! Click on the links in our reviews to find out more about any of the models you see above.
If you’re not sure whether a travel system is the best choice for your lifestyle, no worries! You can find lots of other stroller reviews and recommendations right here on WifeKnows.com. We’ve got helpful buying guides to the best umbrella strollers, double strollers, jogging strollers, and much more. Visit our homepage to find links to all our latest content.
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